Kundalini Manifestations vs Holy Spirit Manifestations

Common accusations against spirit-filled churches are that Holy Spirit manifestations seem very similar to Kundalini Awakening or the Kundalini spirit. Some claim that manifestations in charismatic circles are simply a rebranding of the Kundalini Spirit, but what is that?

Kundalini is a concept from Hinduism meaning circular or coil and refers to a feminine energy coiled like a snake at the base of the human spine. Kundalini Awakening is said to happen when this energy travels up the spine and reaches the head, moving through a series of energy points called chakras.

Manifestations of Kundalini vs the Bible

When people experience a Kundalini Awakening, they may feel vibrations or electric-like currents, experience bliss, have divine visions, and gain inspiration and insight. Other manifestations include sensations of energy moving or trapped in the body, often at chakra points, and feelings of extreme strength or pain accompanied by shaking, jerking, or spasms. Others claim sensations of heat or cold without sweating and loud sounds that only the experiencer can hear, sensory overload, insights into reality, speaking in tongues, and intense waves of bliss and bodily pleasure.

Now, the Bible also shows insight into strange manifestations that believers has experienced. For instance, after an encounter with God, Jacob walked with a limp, Moses’s face glowed, Paul fell and became blind, and Ananias and Sapphira dropped dead after lying to the Holy Spirit. We also see throughout the Bible that Jesus used unusual methods to heal people, like putting his fingers in a deaf man’s ears and using his spit to touch a man’s tongue.

Biblical Manifestations of the Holy Spirit

Let’s look at some biblical manifestations of the Holy Spirit:

1. Falling on the Ground: After hearing God’s voice, the disciples fell on their faces (Matthew 17:6), soldiers fell to the ground when Jesus identified Himself (John 18:6), and Paul fell to the ground when encountering Jesus (Acts 9:4).
2. Feeling of Weightiness: The Hebrew word for glory refers to the weight or heaviness of God. When God’s glory filled Solomon’s Temple, the priests couldn’t continue ministering (2 Chronicles 5:14, 7:2).
3. Shaking: Daniel experienced terror and no strength when visited by an angel (Daniel 10:7-8). The whole mountain quaked when God descended on Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:18). Isaiah described the posts of the doors shaking by God’s voice (Isaiah 6:4), and the place where the disciples prayed was shaken (Acts 4:31).
4. Holy Laughter: Joy is a good thing, and the joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). We also see that joy is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), and Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit (Luke 10:21). Although not directly mentioned in Scripture, holy laughter has been observed in revivals and can be a attributed to a genuine manifestation of the Holy Spirit.
5. Being Drunk in the Spirit: In Acts 2, people mocked the disciples, thinking they were drunk because they were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in several languages. Being drunk in the Spirit is a genuine manifestation but should not be abused.

Other manifestations include travailing or groaning, becoming speechless, falling into a trance, being translated from one place to another like Phillip, or experiencing the third heaven like Paul.

Distinguishing Kundalini from the Holy Spirit

To distinguish between Kundalini and the Holy Spirit, we must test the spirits and check the fruit (1 John 4:1). Three questions to ask are:

1. Is the Gospel of Jesus Christ being preached? – New Age beliefs, which often accompany Kundalini, include doctrines like reincarnation and becoming god, which directly contradict the teachings in Scripture.
2. Are souls being converted? – The Holy Spirit’s power should lead to witnessing and conversions, not just manifestations. This is an important key to keep in mind.
3. Are lives being changed? – Judge the tree by its fruit. If people practice sin while embracing manifestations, it raises a red flag.

Test the manifestations by checking the label, smell, and fruit.

Final Thoughts

For those who love the manifestations of the Holy Spirit, remember that the Holy Spirit helps us be missionaries more than just experience manifestations. For those scared of manifestations because of past occult experiences, understand that the Holy Spirit is pure. Embrace the Holy Spirit with all His power and don’t quench His power because of negative past experiences.

Read: Steps to Find Freedom From Demons